Victoria Kowalewski

Clinical Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Get Contact Info

TEACHES IN THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM(S)

Physical Therapy (DPT)

Education

  • University of North Texas Health Science Center, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Rehabilitation Sciences
  • University of North Texas Health Science Center, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
  • Washington & Jefferson College, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biology

Areas of Specialization

Postural Control, Neurological Conditions, Human Physiology, Geriatrics, Acute and Post-Acute Care
 

Scholarly and Professional Achievements

  • Nordon-Craft A, Schwarz B, Kowalewski V, Hartos J, Jurado Severance J, Bugnariu N., (2017) Service Learning enhances Physical Therapy Students’ Ability to examine Fall Risk in Older Adults. J Allied Health, 2017 Fall; 46 (3):e51-e58. PMID 28889172
  • Kowalewski V, Patterson R, Hartos J, Bugnariu N; Hearing loss contributes to balance difficulties in both younger and older adults, Journal of Preventative Medicine, Apr 9 2018; 3(2). pii: 12. PMID 29951645

Peer-Reviewed Scientific and Professional Presentations

  • Kowalewski V, Thibodeau L, Patterson R, Bugnariu N; Contribution of Auditory Inputs in Young and Older Adults, Peer-reviewed poster presented at the International Neural Control of Movement Congress, May 2018
  • Kowalewski V, Thibodeau L, Patterson R, Bugnariu N; The Effect of Hearing Loss on Balance Control, Can You Hear Me! A Public Hearing Wellness Exposition – Fort Worth, April 2018
  • Kowalewski V, Thibodeau L, Patterson R, Bugnariu N; The Effect of Hearing Loss on Balance, Community-service presentation to the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) – Fort Worth Chapter, March 2018
  • Hebron A, Schwarz B, Kowalewski V, Patterson R, Bugnariu N; Retraining Sensory Weighting Using Virtual Environment and Vibrotactile Biofeedback, Peer-reviewed poster presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting Conference, February 2018
  • Kowalewski V, Thibodeau L, Patterson R, Bugnariu N; The Effect of Hearing Loss on Balance, Community-service presentation at the Senior Falls Prevention Exposition, November 2017
  • Kowalewski V, Thibodeau L, Patterson R, Bugnariu N; Contribution of Auditory Inputs in Young and Older Adults, Peer-reviewed poster presentation at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy World Congress, July 2017
  • Kowalewski V, Thibodeau L, Patterson, R, Bugnariu, N; Improving Postural Control in Older Adults with Hearing Loss – Do Hearing Aids Make a Difference?, Peer-reviewed oral presentation at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy World Congress, July, 2017
  • Kowalewski V, Nordon-Craft A, Schwarz B, Bonin K, Bugnariu N; A Matter of Balance Service-Learning Activities Positively Impact Both Physical Therapy Students and Seniors Confidence. Peer-reviewed poster presentation at the World Confederation of Physical Therapy World Congress, July 2017
  • Kowalewski V, Thibodeau L, Patterson R, Bugnariu N; Auditory inputs contribute to balance control in healthy young and older adults – a simulated hearing loss experiment, Peer-reviewed poster presentation at the International Society of Gait and Posture World Congress, June 2017
  • Fox, J, Kowalewski V, Thibodeau L, Patterson R, Bugnariu N; The Impact of Hearing Loss on Older Adult's Postural Control and Gait Function, Peer-reviewed poster presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (APTA CSM), Feb 2017
  • Kowalewski V, Thibodeau L, Patterson R,  Bugnariu N; The Effect of Hearing Loss on Postural Control and Gait in Older Adults, Peer-reviewed poster presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (APTA CSM), Feb 2016
  • Kowalewski V, Bugnariu N; The Effects of Hearing Loss on Balance in Older Adults: A Systematic Review, Peer-reviewed poster presented at the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting (APTA CSM), Feb 2015
 

Grant Activity

  • National Institute of Health (NIH) Neurobiology of Aging Pre-Doctoral Fellowship (T32 AG020494)
  • Institute for Healthy Aging Seed Grant, “Evaluation of a more sensitive measure for prediction of changes in dynamic postural stability and fall risk”

Service to Carroll University and Profession

  • Supervising physical therapist in the pro bono Therapeutic Abilities Clinic (TAC) for individuals with complex neurological conditions
 

Professional Service

  • American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) member
  • International Society of Posture and Gait Research (ISPGR) member
  • Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) guest speaker and advocate

Honors and Awards

  • Outstanding Graduate Student in Structural Anatomy and Rehabilitation Science, 2018
  • 1st place Scientific Merit, Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy Balance & Falls SIG, 2018
  • 1st Place Overall Student Poster, Physical Therapy Department, UNTHSC, 2017
  • 2nd Place Overall Student Poster, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine Research Appreciation Day, UNTHSC, 2016
  • Trailblazer Award, Physical Therapy Department, 2015

What is your teaching style?

My teaching style is geared towards creating a dynamic classroom that fosters critical thinking and improves overall clinical decision-making among physical therapy students. My hope is that my “hands-on” approach in the classroom allows students to have both a meaningful and enjoyable educational experience. I am also passionate about engaging students in experiential service-learning that positively impacts both the students and members of the community.
 

Why do you do what you do?

I enjoy making a broader impact on the physical therapy profession by working with students and contributing to research that will advance the physical therapy profession. Throughout my graduate and professional career, I developed a deep appreciation for countless mentors who inspired me to be the best clinician, researcher, and person I can be every day. I could not be where I am today without them. I hope to advance the field of physical therapy to improve the quality-of-life of countless individuals, and I hope to inspire my students to become exceptional clinicians who will make the world a better place.
 

How do you make learning engaging?

I attempt to make learning engaging by creating case scenarios, classroom discussions, and lab-based activities that promote active learning. When I design these learning activities, I often draw from my own clinical experiences to create real-life examples and work through these examples with my students.
 

What should students know about you?

I enjoy traveling, being outdoors, and playing with my parents’ dog named Molly!
 
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